Steve Guttenberg in Stamford 'Diner' screening, memoir talk

Scott Gargan

Updated 6:35 pm, Thursday, May 31, 2012

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

Actor Steve Guttenberg will be on hand to talk about his new memoir, "The Guttenberg Bible," and for a 30th anniversary screening of his hit film, "Diner," at the Avon Theatre in Stamford on Tuesday, June 5.

Actor Steve Guttenberg will be on hand to talk about his new memoir, "The Guttenberg Bible," and for a 30th anniversary screening of his hit film, "Diner," at the Avon Theatre in Stamford on Tuesday, June 5.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 2 of 2

Actor Steve Guttenberg will be on hand to talk about his new memoir, "The Guttenberg Bible," and for a 30th anniversary screening of his hit film, "Diner," at the Avon Theatre in Stamford on Tuesday, June 5.

Actor Steve Guttenberg will be on hand to talk about his new memoir, "The Guttenberg Bible," and for a 30th anniversary screening of his hit film, "Diner," at the Avon Theatre in Stamford on Tuesday, June 5.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Steve Guttenberg in Stamford 'Diner' screening, memoir talk

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

When he arrived in Los Angeles in the summer of 1976, Steve Guttenberg dreamed of driving onto Paramount Studios.

"The grande dame" of film and TV production companies, it was where Guttenberg, a recent high school grad, hoped to start his acting career. But there was a hitch: the nobody had no way of getting past the famed Bronson Gate.

So, armed only with his briefcase (and a lot of chutzpah), he snuck onto the studio.

"I pretended to be Michael Eisner's stepson," Guttenberg said, referring to the then chairman of Paramount Pictures. "It was my first improv."

From his secret office in a vacant makeup building, Guttenberg ruled Hollywood. Scoring his first gig on a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial, the Massapequa, N.Y., native went on to become a box-office titan with roles in "Cocoon," "Diner," "Short Circuit" and "Police Academy," among other blockbuster films.

In his new memoir, "The Guttenberg Bible" (Thomas Dunne Books), Guttenberg chalks up his success to not taking no for an answer.

"Everybody is going to tell you, `Don't go in there,' " said Guttenberg, who will be on hand to discuss his new memoir following a screening of "Diner" at Stamford's Avon Theatre on Tuesday, June 5. "Don't listen to them."

In an interview last week, the 53-year-old actor and recent addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame talked about writing an "inspirational" memoir, finding success with "Diner" and being tenacious -- even when the door gets slammed in your face.

Q: So many actors write memoirs. Why did you decide to write "The Guttenberg Bible"?

A: I wanted "The Guttenberg Bible" to be about encouraging people to reach for positive endeavours and believing in yourself, as opposed to writing about tragedy, molestation and bad relationships. It's a guide book for young actors on surviving the travails of the system.

Q: The biggest travail of the system has to be the cynicism. In your book, you talk about how your godfather Michael Bell's friend, an agent, told you to "Forget being an actor. You don't have the look." Then there were the agents who tried to change your name, the movie producers who kicked you out of their offices -- even the security guard at Paramount told you to get lost. How did you get past all the naysayers?

A: I'd always had that inside me since I was a little kid. You have to believe in yourself. If it's somebody you really care about telling you all this, that's one thing. But strangers giving you advice, that's meaningless. I know it doesn't matter 'cause they don't know me; they don't care about me. I know myself and my direction a lot better than they do.

Q: You found a lot of success by not listening to those strangers. In a few short years, you went from being a complete unknown to starring in a slew of blockbuster films. What was that experience like? Were you emotionally prepared for it?

A: I grew up at my mother's and father's kitchen table. I learned everything I needed to know about the world from them, and the importance of living a simple, honest, meaningful life. I found out early on if I stuck to those fundamentals, I would be prepared for any situation.

Q: One of the first hit movies you starred in was "Diner." It helped launch your career, as well as those of Kevin Bacon and Mickey Rourke. What made the movie so special?

A: It was just extraordinary because of the director, Barry Levinson. He was so on top of his game. We were all very lucky to be part of building Barry's dream house.

Q: The actors were great, too. You guys had such great chemistry.

A: It appears to be organic, but it's really the acting. We all got along so well, but in any of the great films, there's a craft involved.

Q: You enjoyed plenty of hits, but there were flops, too. In your book, you mention "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol" as an example. How did you deal with disappointment?

A: Life is a series of ups and downs. When disappointment comes, how you handle that -- it's the greatest sign of a champion. When you hit a pop up, are you going to be the type of player who says, "I'm really down," and you carry that with you? Or are you going to be like Derek Jeter, the guy who hits a pop up and says, "Well, on to the next"?

Q: What is the single best piece of advice you hope to leave aspiring actors?

A: If anybody tells you you can't do it, don't listen to a word they say.